KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI closed at their highest in over two weeks on Wednesday, as investors' risk appetite improved

       At 5pm, the 30-stocks index rose 12.07 points, or 0.76% to 1,597.88, its highest since March 4. The index moved between 1,601.83 and 1,588.78 throughout the day.

       Market breadth turned positive as gainers trounced decliners on a ratio of 701-to-323 stocks. Trading volume was brisk at 3.54 billion shares valued at RM2.63bil.

       Dealers said the performance of the local bourse was in line with its regional peers as markets tracked a rally in global equities.

       Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed up 3% to 28,040.16 while South Korea’s added 0.92% to 2,735.05.

       Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 1.21% to 22,154.08.

       China’s Shanghai Composite index was up 0.3% at 3,271.03 while CSI300 index gained 0.5% to 4,276.52.

       On Bursa Malaysia, Malaysian Pacific Industries surged RM1.90 to RM38. Petronas Dagangan added 46 sen to RM21.50, Carlsberg gained 36 sen to RM21.46 and Hong Leong Bank advanced 34 sen to RM20.50.

       Kuala Lumpur Kepong fell 20 sen to RM25.50, F&N lost 12 sen to RM21.60, SHL Consolidated eased 11 sen to RM1.89 and Nestle eased 10 sen to RM135.40.

       CSH Alliance, the most active counter on Bursa Malaysia, added 0.5 sen to 16.5 sen with 479.72 million shares traded.

       Meanwhile, oil prices rise as US stockpiles decline amid a tight market.

       US light crude oil rose US$1 to US$110.27 per barrel and Brent gained US$1.27 to US$116.75 a barrel.